Aeroplane.



J. Q. CHASE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1910,

1,167,494 Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

J. Q. CHASE.

ABROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11, 1910 Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. Q. CHASE.

AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1910.

Patented Aug. 18, 19M.

1.1U7A94k.

4 SHEETS- SHEET 3.

J. Q. CHASE.

AEROPLANH. APPLICATION FILED NOV-.11; 1&10.

Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

o F Q X11: i I gnuento'c s m may Witnesses parts in normal positions.

.ronn e. CHASE, or DAYTON, o'nro.

AERQPLANE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. il&-]l91d.

Application filed November 11, 1910; Serial No. 591,?61.

To all whom it may concern-.-

Be it known that 1, JOHN Q. CHAsE, a citizen of the United States, Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio, shavelinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Aeroplanes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to flying machines,

and particularly to aeroplanes or machines of the heavier than air type.

The object of the invention is to simplify the structure as well as the means and mode of operation of such devices, whereby they will not only be cheapened in construction, but will be more stanch and stable in action, substantially automatic and unlikely to get out of repair. I

A further object is to'provide automatic balancing features whereby the" movement of the machine from level or, normal position will automatically bring such balancing features into action by which the'machine will be returned to normal position.

A further object is to provide an improved arrangement of the pro e-ller blades whereby increased efliciency wil be attained with a given propeller surface and a given expenditure of power.

A further object is to provide improved uiding and elevating rudders, and means for operating same.

A. further object is Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is .a

erspective view of the assembled machine,

except that the fabric covering of the supporting planes has a plan view of the assembled machine showing in dotted lines different positions of adjustment of the vertical rudders, the covering of the supporting planes being. omitted. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view. Fig. i is a front elevation of the machine showing the Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the machine in inclined position with the operators seat and the residing at to provide an improved frame or skeleton which will afiordbeen omitted. Fig. 2 is.

ailerons in operated positions to which they are automatically moved, by the oscillation of the machine from horizontal position. Fig. 6 is a detail view of an attachment whereby the guiding rudders may be made to operate automatically with the balancing devices. Fig. 7 is a detail of the frame work construction. Fig. 8 is a detail view of a modification of the balancing mechanism. Fig. 9 is a detail view of the rudder control devices.

Like parts are indicated by similar" characters of reference throughout the several views. y

In constructing the machine there is employed a main frame 'or skeleton comprising a plurality of annular frame members 1 spaced apart in substantially axial aline ment with each other and connected by longitudinal rods 2. The annular formation of the frame members 1 renders the frame rigid enabling it to withstand severe'shocks and strains in any direction. frame members 1 islocated on the central line ofthe structure, and the remaining frame members are located at intervals on either side of the central member. Carried by the frame members 1 and the uppermost of the connecting rods 2 are a plurality of curved ribs or bows 3 arranged in alincment with each other. The ends of the bows 3 are connected by transverse wires or cords 4. Over the ribs 3 and wires 4 is adaptedto be stretched a covering of fabric or, other material not shown in the drawings, which forms the up ermost and principal supporting plane. Eurved ribsor bows 6 are carried on the lower portions of the frame members 1 to form supports for lower or supplemental supporting planes. The lower ribs 6 are not all located on the same level, but those ribs adjacent to the center of the structure are lowest, and each succeeding ribtoward the opposite ends of the structure is' elevated to ahigher plane, whereby the lower or sup lemental planes will not be level nor para lel with the upper supporting plane,lout will be inclined upwardly and 'utwardlv- The extremities of the lower series of ribs or bows are also connected byjtransverse wires 7 similar to the wires'i, thereby forming a frame to be covered by fabric or other suitable material.

The annular members 1 on either side of the central frame member are connected to or formed integral with frame extensions pro- One of the i jecting forwardly and rearwardly from the main structure. These frame extensions comprise longitudinal bars 8 upturned at their extremities in the form of sled runners, and arms 9 inclined upward therefrom and connecting with the corresponding frame members. The forward extensions are further braced by diagonal brace rods 10 extending from the main structure. At the forward extremities of the frame extensions are provided-carrying wheels 11 which assist in launching and landing the machine. When at rest the machine is supported on the wheels 11 and the-runner bars 8. Extending rearward from the main structure midheight thereof are parallel arms 12, connected by transverse bars 13 and 14, and also connected to the runner bars 8 by the inclined braces 15. The frame members 1 and the ribs 3 and 6 may be formed solid as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 or they may be constructed from parallel parts connected at intervals by space blocks as shown in Fig.- 7. In this figure the frame members areshown as comprising concentric hoops 16 and 17 of different diameters connected at intervals by space blocks 18. The ribs 3 and 6 are shown as similarly constructed.

The structure so far described forms an exceedingly rigid and light structure, which is further braced. by diagonal truss wires intermediate the several frame members 1, which are not shown in the drawings, but which will be readily understood by any one skilled in aeroplane construction.

It will be noted-that the upper supporting plane is continuous throughout, and occupies a horizontal position, while the lower or supplemental planes extend upwardly and outwardly from the frame extensions, and both the main and supplemental planes are slightly curved in a fore and aft direcrents of air,

tion.

Pivotally supported in the terminal frame members 1 of the structure are'a-ilerons or balancing planes 19 and stabilizing planes 20 projecting perpendicular to the ailerons 19. When the machine swerves from its normal horizontal position as when turning a curve, or when encountering varying curthe structure may be made to return to its normal horizontal position by a proper inclination of the ailerons 19. The stabilizing planes 20' assist materially in steadying themachine, but may be omitted if desired. Pivotally supported in the central frame member 1 of the. structure on suitable journals 21is anoscillating frame or operators swing 22. The operators seat 23 is carried on the oscillating frame 22; while adjacent thereto a foot rest 24 is stationarily su ported on the main frame. The oscillating rame or swing 22 extends above its pivotal connections, and links 25 are provided which are pivotally connected with cillating frame, and ailerons.

such upward. extension of the oscillating frame or swing 22 and with the stabilizing planes 20. If the stabilizing planes are omitted the ailerons are provided with perpendicular arms to which the links 25 are pivotally attached. The construction is such that any oscillatory or swinging movement of the frame or swing 22 is immediately transmitted to the ailerons through the links 25. However the point of attachment of the links 25 with the oscillating frame 22 is farther removed from the pivotal point of the-said swinging frame, than the opposite connection of said link is removed from the pivotal point of the ailerons.

The variation of the radius of the frame member 22 and the aileron connection is such that each movement of the swinging frame 22 caused a corresponding oscillation of the ailerons 19 at opposite ends of the structure; the ailerons moving in unison with the swinging frame but through an arc of greater degree.

When the structure is in its normal horizontal position the oscillating frame 22 swinging pendulum like from its pivotal bearings hangs perpendicular and the ailerons extend in a common horizontal plane. However when theoscillating frame 22 is swung from perpendicular, or when the structure is tipped causing a relative movement of the main frame and the swing, the ailerons will be correspondingly varied through a greater are of oscillation the different lengths of radius between the pivotal points of the links 25 with the os- When the operator is'se ated in the seat 23 on the swinging frame 22, the operator becomes a pendulum weight tending to keep the oscillating frame 22 corresponding to a pendulum perpendicular regardless of the'lateral inclination of the main frame. The oscillating frame being held perpendicular by the weight. of the operator the swerving or varying inclination of the structure causes a relative movement between the oscillating frame due to and main frame which serves to oscillate the ailerons to cause the structure to return to horizontal position. It will be seen that the balancing action is automatic, and that the structure will be returned to even keel independent of the actionv of the operator. However it may sometimes be desirable that the operator should assist the machine in righting itself, or he may desire to cause it to assume a greater inclination as when making short turn. In these cases the ailerons are directly under the control of the operator as by a side thrust in either direction upon the stationary foot rest 24 the oscillating the main frame and thereby oscillate the ailerons in the required direction. In Fig. 8 is shown a modification of the balancing feaframe may be made to swing relative to I tures in which 26 is a pendulum suspended ell tilt

till? placed air into in the frame of the machine and carrying instead of the operators seat 23 and the operator a pendulum weight 27. The upper extremity of the pendulum 26 is connected by the links 25 with the ailerons 19 and stabilizing planes 20 as before described. In such construction the operators seat may be stationarily secured upon the main frame in} dependent of the pendulum by which the ailerons are controlled.

Carried in the central frame member 1 to the rear of the oscillating frame 22 is a platform 28 upon whi h rests the driving motor 29 which' may be of any suitable type. The drive shaft 30 actuated by the motor 29 is mounted in suitable bearings on the transverse bars 13 and 1t. The propeller comprises a plurality of separate or independent radial angularly disposed blades carried on the drive shaft 30. The propeller blades are spaced apart upon'the shaft so that each blade rotates in a difierent plane. It iscustomary to make propellers with. all the blades rotatingin a common plane. In such a construction the first blade disturbs the body of air, and as it rotates the space immediately in the rear of the-blade becoines a partial vacuum, or azone ofless density. The next blade revolving in the same disturbed zone does not meet with the full resistance of the air and therefore loses its eficiency. With the present construction in which each blade revolves in a separate plane, the first blade tends to press the air toward the rear of the machine and thereby increasing the air pressure in the adjacent zone and thereby the resistance encountered by the second blade. Each blade in turn presses the disthe zone to the rear thereby increasing the resistance to ea h succeeding blade. Thus not only does eac 1 blade travel in a path undisturbed by the preceding blade, but each meets with an increased air as ipressure; and

increased resistance against which its propelling power is exerted to propel themachine. The blades are so arranged on the shaft that not only does each succeeding rearward blade occupy a difierent plane, but also each succeeding blade follows the preceding forward blade in point.

of rotation.

Hinged to the rearward extending arms 12 of the main frame are two parallel sweeps 31 adapted to swing in a horizontalplane. Pivotally supported upon the extremity of each of the hinged sweeps is a rudder plane 32 capable of oscillation in a vertical plane about its pivotal connection with the sweep 31. lnterposed between the rudder planes 32 and pivotally connected thereto at the elevating rudder 34. The vertical rudder planes 32 are preferably slotted as shown in the drawings and the horizontal elevating rudder preferably &

'projects through the slots beyond the vertical rudders. The machine is guided laterally by the swinging movement of the sweeps 31, which carries the vertical rudders32 from side to side as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The pivotal connection of the horizontal rudder 3 with the vertical rudders 32 readily permits the oscillatory movement of theguiding rudders, and at the same time maintains the vertical rudders in their parallel relation and braces them against lateral strains. The machine is caused to ascend or descend by the oscillation of the vertical rudders in a vertical plane about their ,pivotalconnections with the sweeps 31 thereby varying the inclination of the horizontal rudder 342 from its normal horizontal position. Both the lateral swinging movement of the vertical guiding rudders, and the oscillation of the horizontal rudder 3% may be performed simultaneously, or the operations may be independently performed in any of the po- (siition of' adjustment of either of the ruders. a

The rudders both vertical and horizontal are controlled by a system of cables operating from the front of the machine.

Mounted in suitable bearings in the central frame members 1- is a revoluble shaft 35 carrying a pulley 36. There is also rigidly secured upon the shaft a bearing blocl; 37 upon which is journaled a second pulley 38, the axis of which is perpendicular to that of the shaft. This construction is best shown in Fig. 9. An operating lever 39 is se ured to ,the last mentioned pulley 38 by which said pulley may be oscillated about its journal, connection on the bearing block 37, as indicated by the arrows yy in Fig. 9. rudder operating cable passes about the pulley 38, one side of the cable passes through a sheave or pulley lO on one of the frame members 1 thence rearward to a second sheave 41 adjacent to the hinge point of the rudder sweep, from which it passes diago nally to the opposite rudder as shown in Fig. 1. The opposite side of the cable follows a similar course from the opposite side of the pulley 38 passing through suitable sheaves rearward to the hinge point of the corresponding rudder sweep thence diagonally across to the opposite rudder. This arrangement of cable forms a give and take connection, so that as the pulley 38 is rotated in one direction by the movement of the lever 39 as indicated by the arrowsy y, it draws upon .one side of the cable to pull the sweeps 31 laterally about their hinged connections and at the same time pays out a corresponding amount of cable to the opposite side'to compensate for the movement of the rudders. In addition to its lateral movement y--y the lever 39 is capable of movement in a perpendicular plane as rudder planes, furthermore any strain on thercables due to such tipping is equal on both sidestof the cable connection.

Passing about the pulley 36 is a secondcable-which passes rearward to the rear of the frame thence through sheaves 42 laterally to the centerof the-structure where it again passes through sheaves 43 and extends rearward, the opposite. sides of the cable connecting with, opposite ends of and arm 44 secured upon and projecting perpendicular to the horizontal rudder 34. Any oscillatory movement of the shaft 35 is transmitted through the cable from the pulley 36' to the horizontal rudder34 causing the vertical rudders 32 to be oscillated about their pivotal connections :with the rudder sweeps 81, thereby moving thehorizontal rudder 34, as clearly shown by dotted lines in 'Fig. 3 of the drawings. A the pulley 1 36 drawsupon one side of the cable it pays out the opposite side to compensate for the adjustment of the'parts. Thearm '44 being located centrally. between the vertical rudders 32 distributes the strain of the control cable evenly. It is obvious however that the control cable might be carried straight back from the pulley 36 to the rudder plane 32 and be attached direct thereto, instead of being. carried to the center of the machine and attached to an arm 44. The length of cable between the sheaves 43 and, the arm 44 being substantially equal to the length of the sweeps 31, the said sweeps and length.

of'cable will describe an arc of equal radius as the rudderplanes are adjusted laterally, the lateral adjustment of the rudder therefore will not affect the control cable of the horizontal rudderw" a It has been found in practice that when the machine ha swerved or tipped from its normal horizontal fposition,an operation of the guiding rudders will materially assist the ailerons in righting the machine: This may be accomplished by the manual operation of the lever, 39, but in;many instances, particularly in lon flights it may be desirable that the ru ders should operate automatically in unison with. the ailerons.

This is accomplished by means of a detachable link 45 pivoted to the control lever 39 at one end and'to the swinging frame 22 at the other end, as. shown in detail inlFig. 6.

Bythis construction any movement of the J of the swinging fore enumerated as desirable ,of the frame,

plane on a horiontal 'mentof the With- From the above description it will be ap parent that there is thus produced a machine of the character described, possessing ,the particular features of construction beguiding rudders in unison thereviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions, detail construction and arrangement ofparts, without departing from the principle. involved or sacrificing any of its advantages:

but which 015- Having thus described .'my :invention I claim;

1; In anteroplane, the combination with guiding andpropelling mechanism, of a main frame comprising a plurality of substantially annular frame members vertically disposed side by side in substantially axial alinement but spaced apart, tie rods connecting the annular members and maintain ing them in their spaced relation supporting plane ribs arranged substantially tangentially inrelation. to the annular framemembers at the top andbottom thereof, and supporting planescarried on said ribs.

2. In an aeroplane, the combination with guiding and propellingmechanism of a rigid main frame'comprising a plurality of annular vertically disposed frame members, transverse tie .rods connecting. the frame members, a series of supporting plane ribs arrangedlin horizontal alinement at,the top rib at the bottom of the frame each successive rib in a direction outward from the center being located at height'above the preceding or inward rib, and supporting planes carried on the ribs.

3? In an aeroplane, the combination with guiding and propelling mechanism of 'a' main frame comprising a plurality of substantially annular'frame members, and tie rods connecting the-frame members, the said frame members comprising two concentric portions of-difierent diameters located in a common plane and intermediate s ace blocks connecting the concentric portlons, and a supporting plane carried on the frame.

4. a a flying machine, a' mainframe, supportindg means, propelling mechanism,

inge guiding rudders adapted to oscillate in a horizontal plane, and having slots therein, and elevating rudder projecting through the slots of theguiding rudders and connected thereto whereby 1t will move in unison with said rudder and means for oscillating the guiding rudders'an elevating axis independent of their lateral adjustment.

5. In a flying machine, a frame, a sup porting means, propellin mechanism, guiding rudders, and an e evating plane, control means therefor comprising a revoluble shaft, a journal stud carried by said two series of supporting plane 1 shaft and perpendicular to the axis thereof,

I axis perpendicular to that of the a pulley mounted on saidshaft and rotating therewith, a second -pulley mounted on said journal stud, an operating lever connected with the second pulley, cable connections leading from the guiding devices to one of said pulleys, and from the elevating plane to the other of the pulleys.

6. In 'a flying machine, a main frame, a supporting plane, propelling mechanism, guiding devices, an elevating plane, control mechanism therefor comprising a,rock shaft, an oscillatory member carried by said shaft and oscillating about an axis common with the shaft, a second oscillatory member also carried by the shaft but oscillating about an shaft, and

operating lever adapted when moved in one direction to oscillate the shaft and parts carried thereby, and when moved in a direction at-right angle to the first mentioned direc tion to operate the second oscillatory member independent of the shaft, and cable con- JOHN Q. CHASE.

Witnesses:

HARRY F. NOLAN, 15. L. WALKER. 

